Traveling through airport security

[bmartin1206]

Back by popular demand,

I have received a number of emails. Hopefully this will answer many of your questions and maybe raise a few. Feel free to contact me or review the TSA website. I am a TSA employee doing this voluntarily. While some things may differ slightly the end result will be the same...passenger safety.


With the increase of air travel security, I still see many things that the average traveler overlooks. So in an effort to help the flying public identify a few things to prepare for it will hopefully help cut down on frustration and delays.
As you may have already read, many changes have been implemented with more to come as we are constantly evaluating the security of our nations airports and the safety and convenience of passengers.
For the most up to date news and information go to http://www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp . This website is the official website for TSA and list Travel Tips, News and Events and offer Spotlight information.
Most noted is the implementation of 100% bag search . It varies from airport to airport depending on the circumstances. Some may be done in front of passengers while it is not practical at others due to space and safety concerns. Please be advised, if you lock your suitcase and we find it necessary to physically search the bag, the lock will be cut off. If it has a built in lock as I understand it currently an attempt will be made to contact the passenger to gain entry. If we’re not able to contact the passenger in short order those locks will also be disengaged. We take nothing for granted and refuse to sacrifice the safety of the flying public. In both cases the bags should be re-secured. No one else but TSA employees handles these bags from the time you check it in until the time it leaves our hands to board the plane.
While traveling with carry on luggage be aware of the rules concerning the number and size of carry on luggage. Your airlines is responsible for this information. Review the TSA website (http://www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp) for prohibited items. Common things overlooked are pointed scissors of any kind. Scissors always forgotten are in kits. Knives of any size and type (i.e. money clips with blades, corkscrews with blades etc.). strike anywhere matches (stick) and too many lighters (no more than 2 per passenger).
Before you go through a walk through metal detector and if you’re not wearing tennis shoes, it’s a good bet your shoes will alarm. Take them off. While this is optional, it will save time and additional screening. I see day in and day out, we all go through our pockets to get every piece of metal out only to have our shoes go off when you walk through. Just because they didn’t go off in the last airport doesn’t mean they won’t at the next.
The next change taking place and may be in place in some airports is random passenger screening will now be done at the security check point instead of just prior to boarding the plane. This will eliminate passengers potentially getting screening twice. The airlines selects who these passengers are using whatever criteria they use and it will be somehow identified on your ticket. Each airline has a different format for doing this.
Again feel free to contact me for additional questions. I look forward to continue serving you and will continue to be vigilant in securing your safety.



Happy Traveling,

Brian

 

[LisaR]

Hi Brian,
I posted this on the Budget Board and then I saw your post here. Do you have any advice?

I read the new regulations about flying. It does "suggest" that you do not bring food or drinks in checked luggage, however, it does not say it is prohibited. My kids drink a certain type of "milk" due to dairy allergies. We have been stuck in Florida without their milk more then once. One time a store will have it, the next time they won't. We have spent more then one vacation going from store to store to locate enough cartons to get them through the trip. About a year ago, we started just bringing it with us.

I do not want to be the cause of our flight being delayed because I packed 8 cartons of milk in my checked luggage! Any suggestions? I was thinking of putting the milk in its own seperate piece of luggage so at least if they have to search it, it should be quick since nothing else will be in that bag. I used to pack the cartons in between our clothing for more support. Any other ideas? Thanks!

Lisa

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks Brian

I will be travelling from Canada and usually put the pins in the checked baggage, but now that we will not be able to lock, am leary. Can we pack the pins on lanyards in our carryon baggage?

Also, I've seen it reported that airports will provide the locking devices but until they do, can twist ties be used to secure the zipper together?

All your help is greatly appreciated.

Scratch

 

[bmartin1206]

I assume you mean the collectors pins. If so you may put them in the carry on.

 

[Scratch42]

Brian, that's what I thought but wanted to make sure!

The rules just keep changing too fast to keep up!

Scratch

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

Brian

I reealize the need to check the baggage for security purposes. But do nt trust some of the baggage hanlers loading and unloading the aircraft. If my bags are checked in my presene will it be tagged as such. If so would I be able to lock the suitcase after it has been searched.

 

[bmartin1206]

If it happens to be in your presence request that the screener secure your bag. It may be necessary to hand them the key or give them a combination. YOu will not be allowed to do it once we clear it. If at that particular airport the baggage is checked in a secluded area, TSA is to re-secure the bag if a lock had to be cut before it goes on to the airline baggage handlers.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Brian, a couple of questions of my own --

About the Disney pins. I know from moderating the Collectors Board that people are always leery about how to transport pins from home to Disney for pin events or vacationing. Most people have their pins in their carry-on because they don't want to risk them if their bags go missing. Some are concerned about security confiscating their pins from their carry-on as a "dangerous weapon." The only danger they pose is to one's bank account. On the other hand, lapel pins are sold at many stores within airport secure areas. Is it policy (or pretty much common sense) that if something is sold at stores inside the secure areas then it's okay to bring onto the plane?

About the new baggage regulation. I'm sure there are people paranoid or just don't plain like the idea of someone searching their bags out of their sight. Does the TSA foresee more people attempting to bring their baggage on the plane?

Thanks!

 

[jetsetter90]

We stayed in the Garden Wing a few years ago and we were not happy. We had asked for a non smoking room and it smelled of smoke. We were barely in the room an hour and I noticed my kids socks were black, I mean black. We had gotten there late so went straight to bed. We didn't sleep at all for some reason the beds drooped down and my kids kept falling off the bed and I felt like I was falling off.
Early next morning I went straight to the front desk with socks in hand and asked what they could do about the problem. They asked what I wanted, they would clean the rugs, change the mattresses(really). I said no a new room would do and they were going to give me another garden wing and I said no I would lilke a Tower room and did get one. So it does help to speak up.

TTFN

Jetsetter90

 

[bmartin1206]

Collectors pins are not a prohibited item and should not be confiscated unless it was part of a prohibited item. For example, we confiscated a crucible necklace. Seems harmless but this particular souvoneir had a knife blade in it. You are correct. If it is sold inside the secure area it is OK to take on the plane. We don't allow vendors through with prohibited items either. However, probited items may possibaly be sold outside of the secure area. Those items will need to be checked.
Baggage will simply not be allowed on the plane exept as described as carry on. There is no room and it will result in delays. For anyone who does not want to comply with any of the rules you will not be allowed on the plane. If you didn't want to check a particular bag but you want to get on that plane your choices would be, check the bag, leave the secure area escorted with the bag.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I think that it is great that Brian is trying to help with all the questions. I just wanted to give a disclaimer that as much as the TSA is trying to make policies uniform across the board, managers can have different interpretations of some rules and different airports can have similar but different procedures. So please keep that in mind.

 

[bmartin1206]

Thanks Miss Jasmine,

I've mentioned that before but is always worth repeating. The end result is the same.